S) "10 Many shepherds have ruined My vineyard,
They have trampled down My field;
They have made My pleasant field
A desolate wilderness."
Jeremiah 12:10 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Jeremiah 12
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Jeremiah 12
O) This is part of the answer Jeremiah received, when he prayed about the injustices in his homeland. The whole answer is fairly symbolic, and this verse caught my eye. What are shepherds doing in a vineyard? He didn't say that vinedressers had ruined His vineyard, or that shepherds had ruined His pastures. He didn't even say the sheep had ruined His vineyard. Shepherds are leaders. These leaders had forgotten their place. They had wandered into areas that were never meant for them, and people followed them.
A) There are a few things to remember with this short excerpt. First and foremost, my shepherd is Jesus. While there are other leaders who are worth following, that is only true to the degree that they are following Jesus. If I am ultimately following Jesus, then I will never be led astray into areas I was never meant to go. Also, I need to be on guard against false teachings, false shepherds, who will try to lead my flock astray. I need to be vigilant in guarding my family from false teachers and teachings. Just like I must ensure that I am following Jesus so that anyone else ahead of me cannot lead me astray, I must ensure that I am following Jesus so that anyone else behind me will follow Him, too. Lastly, I need to be obedient, both as a sheep and as a shepherd. Sheep are not meant to eat grapes, or else they will quickly devastate a vineyard. I must have a humble, obedient heart, when it comes to things meant for me and things not meant for me. God has set a boundary and I must remain in it, or it will cost, myself and others. Jesus is a good and trustworthy shepherd. So, what He determines is good for me, is truly good. What He determines is bad for me, is truly bad.
A) There are a few things to remember with this short excerpt. First and foremost, my shepherd is Jesus. While there are other leaders who are worth following, that is only true to the degree that they are following Jesus. If I am ultimately following Jesus, then I will never be led astray into areas I was never meant to go. Also, I need to be on guard against false teachings, false shepherds, who will try to lead my flock astray. I need to be vigilant in guarding my family from false teachers and teachings. Just like I must ensure that I am following Jesus so that anyone else ahead of me cannot lead me astray, I must ensure that I am following Jesus so that anyone else behind me will follow Him, too. Lastly, I need to be obedient, both as a sheep and as a shepherd. Sheep are not meant to eat grapes, or else they will quickly devastate a vineyard. I must have a humble, obedient heart, when it comes to things meant for me and things not meant for me. God has set a boundary and I must remain in it, or it will cost, myself and others. Jesus is a good and trustworthy shepherd. So, what He determines is good for me, is truly good. What He determines is bad for me, is truly bad.
P) Father, thank You for the grace You have shown me. Thank You for opening my ears to hear and know the voice of my Shepherd. Discipline me, to follow only His voice. Keep me penned in the area meant for me. When I am led out, let it be only by the voice of Jesus, and don't let me be deceived. Give me the courage to speak out against false teaching, both for my own sake and for the sake of those who follow me. Let me, and my wife, and my children, be under Your loving care, Lord. Let Your will be done in our lives. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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